The Knox Clinic is a volunteer based non-profit advocating for and providing free/low cost medical, dental, prescription assistance, and mental health and wellness services to the uninsured and underinsured in Knox County, plus our border towns. We believe everyone deserves access to quality care!
The Knox County Health Clinic was founded in June of 1999 by Dr. Paul and Jeannie Klainer with significant community support to provide primary medical care to the working people of Knox County, Maine who cannot afford their own health insurance and do not qualify for Medicaid, Medicare or other programs. A Dental Program was added in April of 2001 that serves patients both without insurance and those on Medicaid as there are no dentists in the region accepting Medicaid. In 2003, the Clinic began assisting patients in obtaining free medications through a Prescription Assistance Program (PAP). In 2008, the Clinic expanded its services to include mental health and wellness services.
After over twenty years in operation, we have grown, but we have not changed who we are: a grassroots, community supported network of over 100 volunteers. We are so proud of the incredible community support for our patients. Many of the volunteers have been helping at the Clinic for 10 to 15 years, primarily because the work is so rewarding. They can see what a difference their time and talents are making. Volunteers have helped diabetic patients regain control over their lives, brought back smiles to people who used to hide them in shame, and given essential care and vaccines to students now working as nurses and dentists in our community. For every success story, there is a person who is now able to live a healthy and productive life, the ripple effect this has in our community is immeasurable and tremendously valuable.
The Clinic currently receives no monies from government grants or subsidies, or insurance companies. Rather, we depend on the continued financial support from our community members and local organizations to sustain our operating budget.
In the past year more than 100 volunteers provided over 5,000 hours of their time and talents. Adding the value of the donated services, space and utilities, the total value of donated goods and services is about 3 times our total budget. That means every dollar you donate is matched by three dollars worth of donated goods and services!